(DailyChive.com) – On Monday, March 11, FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a stern warning about significant threats emerging from the United States border, including violent gangs, smugglers, and drug trafficking possibly linked to the terrorist group ISIS.
Wray addressed concerns raised by Republican Senator Marco Rubio during a Senate Intelligence briefing regarding the dangers posed at the border, notably highlighting the presence of the violent Venezuelan gang “Tren de Aragua.”
While intentionally refraining from directly discussing specific gangs, the FBI director emphasized the influx of dangerous individuals entering the US through the southern border. He stated that the FBI has observed a diverse range of threats originating from the border, including drug trafficking.
Notably, in the last twenty-four months, the bureau has seized large amounts of fentanyl, enough to cause havoc for over 200 million people.
Furthermore, Wray highlighted the role of gangs in perpetrating violent crimes in the United States, particularly emphasizing their involvement in fentanyl distribution. Recent warnings have underscored the presence of gangs like Tren De Aragua, with reports indicating Customs and Border Protection’s internal alerts to agents regarding individuals displaying signs of affiliation with this notorious gang.
The Republican senator pressed Wray on the potential ties between smuggling networks facilitating global movement and terrorist organizations like ISIS. While Wray exercised caution regarding divulging specific details in an open session, he acknowledged the existence of a network with ISIS-affiliated facilitators, which is currently under the radar of the FBI.
Confirming Rubio’s concerns, Wray affirmed the presence of a network with ties to ISIS, signaling the gravity of the situation. However, the ongoing crisis at the border has drawn substantial attention, with over two million migrant encounters recorded in 2023, including record encounters exceeding 300,000 in the fiscal year 2024.
Interestingly, both President Biden and former President Donald Trump have visited the border, signaling its significance as a pressing political issue.
Meanwhile, Republicans have squarely blamed the Biden administration for the crisis, while the administration contends that resolving the situation requires increased funding, staffing, and comprehensive immigration reform from Congress.
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